I am finally going to cave in and check it out myself. Still have the $10 voucher Sony gave me with my PS4, so I will buy it now and decide whether to use the free month now or just wait until April and get the free upgrade to PS4 and play it then. Either way $10 is great.

https://store.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com/#!/en-us/games/final-fantasy-xiv-a-realm-reborn/cid=UP0082-NPUB31255_00-C000010000000000

Collector's Edition is $15

https://store.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com/#!/en-us/games/final-fantasy-xiv-a-realm-reborn-collectors-edition/cid=UP0082-NPUB31255_00-C000020000000000

either choice you make is a good one.

FFXIV PS4 Beta starts in February.

Is this game only playable with a monthly fee ?

Yes, but with this purchase you get the first month for free. Just think of how many games you play for a month or less and then shelve.

If you have a PS4 it is even better. Buy it now for $10, don't use it. When it releases on PS4 (For $40 no doubt) just boot it up on your PS3, create your account, get your free month and then upgrade it to the PS4 version.

That is what I am going to do.

I have also read that if you dedicated the time you could finish up the main storyline portion of this game within the free month.

How are these FF online games? I've only ever played the regular FF games, and have no idea how they play. Are they ANYTHING like PSO? That's my all time favorite online RPG.

Never played one myself, but the battle system looks great.

This is tempting, but I'm already so far behind in the franchise and I just started Defiance...

check out my thread for game info. link in my sig.

These are some of the bosses you'll be facing, and a taste of what combat looks like. These challenges require teamwork with other players.

It isn't. Unless, of course you are talking about PSO, and in which case I have no idea.